Life is all about choices and attitude. Make the right choices, keep a positive attitude-- and you will find JOY through all of your ups and downs. Hope you enjoy my thoughts!

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE QUOTES ON MY SIDEBAR.

My April Header is a photo I took of the lovely TULIPS at Biltmore House and Gardens, Asheville, North Carolina, on 3/23/15.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

A Summer Smokies Hike

Can you believe that it is now AUGUST? Goodness---where did July go???? The good news for me is that Fall will be here soon. Yeah Rah!!!!!

George and I SELDOM hike during the hot summer, especially in the crowded Smokies. BUT--on July 23, after a stop in Knoxville at the Apple Store, we headed to the east side of the Smokies at Cosby. We decided to hike part of the Gabes Mountain Trail (toward Hen Wallow Falls)...

The hike is rated moderate because of its steepness... It's 2.2 miles one way to the waterfall which is not that far... However, since it was VERY hot and VERY humid on the 23rd, we hiked for about a mile and a half --and turned around there. SO---instead of a 4.4 miler, we had a 3 mile hike which seemed like a long enough hike to me!!!!

Even though we didn't see the waterfall, we did stop several times along the way so that we could get lots of great pictures...Today I'll share with you some of what we saw along the trail on that hot summer day.

Above is a picture I took from our trail... Other than being steep, this area is a great place to hike. Be sure to enlarge all of the pictures in order to see them bigger.

I took this picture of George on a little bridge at one of our water crossings... This is a pretty area ---and we enjoyed our day, despite the high humidity.

As I was resting along the trail --while George took more pictures of the creek, I got some good pictures of the trees ---as I pointed my camera UP toward the sky... Pretty area, don't you think?

George got more great pictures of the creek using his tripod and 'special' filter.... Isn't this an awesome photo???

They have had more rain in the Cosby area recently than we have had on the Cumberland Plateau.... I got several pictures of mushrooms along the damp trail... One even had a pretty yellow stem... Aren't these pretty little mushrooms --with moss all around them?

George took this picture of me on the trail... Since it was so hot, I was wearing my white headband --and carrying my 'sweat' towel!!!!! I also was wearing my camera vest --which I love.

This little blue butterfly followed us for awhile. I love its color. Anyone know what kind of butterfly this is???? I do NOT know my butterflies ---like I do our flowers.

This is a 'creative' picture I took of a big leaf with the sunshine peeking through and shining perfectly on it!!!!! You like it?

This little ground cover was EVERYWHERE along the trail... I loved it. It is very tiny with little red berries.... Anyone know its name????? SO PRETTY!

Finally, here is a picture we took of the two of us using the tripod---beside the creek.... As you can imagine, even though we didn't make it all of the way to the waterfall, we did have a great day!!!

Do you like my new header? Thought you might!!!! We DID see the sunflowers when we were at Biltmore on Monday... Had a wonderful day!!!

63 comments:

Hi Betsy, you are amazing to be able to go out hiking in the hot and humid weather. I loved these shots from your hike. Love the shot of George at the bridge and the one of you and your gear. The new header is beautiful, I love the sunflowers. Hubby and I are talking about a Smokey Mtn trip in the fall. Great post, I hope you have a great day.

Beautiful photos along the trail, Betsy. I especially love the mushrooms! Not sure....but I think the ground cover is gualtheria or "wintergreen." If you tear a leaf, it smells like chewing gum! This would be a pretty hike in Autumn with all those tall trees! Have a good day.

love all the blog changes. header shot of the sunflowers. looks like a great hike. now that looks like an interesting bridge to cross. wow!! no slipping. i agree hiking in these hot times is not fun. if we go on a hike it is a shady hike. ha. ha!! (:

Wonderful hike Betsy - I just can't believe the incredible places you and George go to! But I'm glad you do - so we can all enjoy some armchair treks! I love what George does with the creek shots too.x

Love your new header and the walk through the mountains looks lovely. I wish I could have been there with you. My kind of hike and weather. I love the light on your eaves and George's soft water shots. That couple in the red shirts are cute too.

I'll have to admit that I was surprised when I read the part about turning back when you were so close to a waterfall. :) That looks like a beautiful hike. I don't believe we have ever hike that trail but it's one I would like to hike after seeing your pictures.

It may have been hot on the trail, Betsy, but your pictures are so refreshing! All that beautiful rushing water and soft green moss and towering leafy trees---lovely. And your header is gorgeous. I wish we had planted some sunflowers this year.

Great photos. We were last in the Smokies in 1993. We took a hike along a creek that was very popular for tubing. We stopped to watch and then realized Sarah who was 7 at the time was not with us. Talk about frantic! My parents were with us so Dad headed down the trail toward the car, Dan headed up the trail ahead and Mom, Emily & I stayed put and searched among the people gathered there. Dad was the one to find her. She thought we had turned back so she headed back toward the car. After that experience she was always concerned about our leaving her behind. But then what does she up and do once she graduates from college? Head to China for three years!

The new header is very nice, and I enjoyed seeing your pictures of the trail. The trail to Hen Wallow Falls is one of our least favorite in the Smokies. We find it difficult and not very rewarding, even on a relatively cool day. It's much more pleasant to take that hike through your photos. :)

Yes, that new header sure is pretty! Glad to see you still getting out and about, even though we've had hot and humid weather. Lovely photos, as always. And George does great with those stream shots and the neutral density filter!

What's not to love about all the pictures in this post. Seeing so many sunflowers blooming must have been glorious...and so much beauty just walking along a trail in the woods. I can see why you enjoyed it.

Hi Betsy, Great post! I sure love the Smokey Mountains National Park. I have only been there once but it sure is a pretty place. My husband and I were also in Knoxvillle at the Apple Store but it was a few days later than when you both were there. Great minds think alike! Ha! Have a wonderful day and stay cool!

Love the Sunflower header. One Autumn years ago, hubby and I traveled out West. I don't recall the state, but there were fields of Sunflowers. I enjoyed yours and Georges trek through the trails. The butterfly is beautiful, don't think I've seen any here.

Your header is very cheery. Tall, shady trees and streams look like a good combination for a hike. That butterfly is lovely. Did you encounter any insects in such humid conditions? The photo of the sun shining through the leaves is very pretty. Your photos are full of atmosphere.

You are one brave soul crossing that bridge. I get a little scared about narrow passages:) But this would be a hike right up my alley. It also looks like a beautiful day with plenty of shade from the sunshine. George sure knows how to get his water shots! Gorgeous.

I think the butterfly in question looks like, but don't quote me, a Pipevine Swallowtail. They are a rare find as they are at risk here in Arizona. Beautiful shots again. As always, hope you are enjoying your day:) Chris

What a serene and beautiful place amongst the trees Betsy !Looking at your pictures always makes my heart skip a beat, such beauty, a true example of what I hold near and dear, my love of the Tennessee countryside...Looks cool, but as you pointed out, it still gets awfully humid, even beneath the shady canopies of all those trees.You are such a very special couple, and enjoy life to the full.Thank you for sharing your special hike with us, and yes....awesome shots, especially of the water cascading over the mossy rocks !~Jo

Good for you for trying to accomplish the hike, and good for you for knowing when to turn around. The heat is too much for me these days. The humidity would finish me off. I loved your solution of a towel and headband!

The photos are awesome. This might be a place to revisit to see the fall color when it is cooler.

Love your new header. It is so bright and cheerful!! I love hiking and have always wanted to hike in the Great Smokies. Maybe someday...Thanks for sharing these lovely pictures of an enjoyable hike! Enjoy the rest of your week!

Oh boy....another super fantastic post. I loved your adventure you shared with us. I can almost smell the woods and the air that surrounds the beauty. Gorgeous country!!! Oh, and I must add that you look marvelous in RED. That is definitely your color.

Oh good, I learned two extra things here. I have a lot of those butterflies, usually in the late summer so was glad of the ID. Also I plan to plant wintergreen as a ground cover under my trees and am pleased to see what it will look like. Hay, three miles, half of which is up hill is a stout hike.

I admire you hiking in the humidity - - and we have definitely had some this summer. It seems worse than past years but maybe my body doesn't cope as well as it once did. Beautiful pics - - - and interesting bridge that George was crossing.

COPYRIGHT

Followers

About Me

Welcome to my blog. Hubby and I are retired and live in beautiful Fairfield Glade on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee. We enjoy Traveling, Hiking, Searching for Waterfalls, Gardening (especially flowers including our ROSES); and I love my Backyard Birds and also working on Family History. Hope you enjoy my blog!